The Spokesman - Archive  Feb 15, 2010

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PO Box 1033, Springfield, MA 01101 Telephone and Fax: 413-733-5097 E-Mail: SpringfieldMARotary@verizon.net

SPOKESMAN SPONSOR: 

SPEAKERS:

February 19th - Ambassador Mark Gregory Hambley, a veteran of more than 30 years in the U.S. diplomatic service. He will discuss the political situation in Yemen where he served for three years as U.S. Consul. Hambley has served in eleven postings in nine Middle Eastern countries, including U.S. Ambassador in Qatar and later, in Lebanon. He has also served as U.S. Consul General in Alexandria, Egypt, and in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

February 26th - George O'Brien, Editor at BusinessWest. His topic will be "Springfield ­ Post Control Board." O'Brien, Editor and principle writer since April, 1995 of this twice-monthly business publication, has an extensive background covering all types of businesses, business issues and politics. Prior to working at BusinessWest, O'Brien was Editor at The Westfield Evening News, where he started as a beat reporter. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

ADDITIONAL CLUB NEWS:

Helping Haiti - The Spfld Rotary Club has collected over $600 to donate to the American Red Cross for Haiti Relief. We are also planning to sponsor 2 Shelter Boxes for Haiti that will support a family of six people for months with shelter, clean water etc.  ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity that delivers emergency shelter, warmth and dignity to people affected by disaster worldwide.

Cost of Lunch - The cost of lunch has been reduced from $17 to $13 dollars as of the first of the year in response to our members input. All are encouraged to participate in the lunch so the cost can be maintained at this new lower price. Max's has worked with us to achieve this and it would reflect well on our club if the number could increase.

Nomination Committee - The Nominating Committee, chaired by Bernie Spirito, is in the process of putting together this upcoming years slate of officers and board members. In an effort to reachout to all Springfield Rotary members this note is being sent to encourage anyone that might wish to self identify to serve on the board for the upcoming year. The Nominating Committee does a good job of identifying those who may want to be more involved however the Committee does not want to overlook someone who maybe interested and/or have the time to commit to this effort. It goes without saying that the Rotary Club is as good and active as its membership so any member with the desire to serve in a more formal capacity is encouraged to contact Bernie, Ed Sunter, or myself. Please contact one of us in the next week so the proposed slate of officers and board members can be shared at the March 10th Board meeting before it goes to the membership for a vote. 

Snow Days - Future cancellations for the regular Friday meeting will be done via email. The email will be sent by mid morning on Friday's. For those without email a phone call will be made to them. (We will not follow the Springfield Schools closing announcements going forward.)

FROM THE ARCHIVES: 

At the April 13, 1945 meeting, President Wray opened with a tribute to our late President Franklin Roosevelt. As stated, with the rest of the nation, and the world, Springfield Rotary was shocked at the news of the death of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and deeply mourns his passing. Mr. Roosevelt was an honorary member of the Albany, N.Y. Rotary Club.